This weekend I made my first foray into home hair color. I went natural recently and decided that this was as good a time as any to dabble in some color. I'm usually an advocate of leaving hair color to the professionals, but with the economy like it is, and my hair as short as it is, I figured why pay someone to do what I can do myself?
Well, when Dark and Lovely says they give you vibrant color, they mean it! I bought their Permanent Hair Colour in Sun Kissed Brown #377. It came out way to red for my tastes (I looked like Malcom X), but after looking at the box again, I realize that its definitely the same color on the model, so my dissatisfaction with the color is my own fault, I guess.
The gel and squeeze tube made it quick and easy to apply (though, a lot did end up all over my bathroom). It didn't smell too bad, but it burned my super sensitive scalp while I waited for the color to set. My scalp was fine after I rinsed the color out, but a good moisturizer was definitely in order, because my hair was left dry and hard, and the conditioner that came in the box was not cutting it.
Homey the Clown color aside, I would use this again in another shade. The color is very rich and vibrant, just like the box said, so if you picked the right color it would look really great. I've since followed up with Dark and Lovely Reviving Colors Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Ebone Brown (I'll post a review of this later) to mask the red until I can color again. When the brown fades fades in 6-8 washes, I think I'll try Chestnut Blonde #380. A good spring/summer shade, no?
Dark and Lovely Hair Colour Review
Taraji P. Henson & Viola Davis Cover Ebony
Ebony is really stepping up their cover game. Oscar nominees Taraji P. Henson and Viola Davis are on the cover of the May Ebony, and looking pretty fab, as usual.
Though both ladies look great in this spread, I think these are the best photos I've seen of Viola. She looks stunning in this red Monique Lhuillier gown. Get her glamorous look with Nars Limited Edition Lipstick in Sephora Flame, $24 and Essie Nail Polish in Sole Mate, $8.
Cellulite & Stretch Mark Solutions!
While nothing will work like hitting the gym or having enviably good genes, these products can definitely help wage the war on cellulite and stretch marks. And just in time for those chic short shorts!
| Finally, the truth on which promising products will actually help -- and which are just money-wasting hype |
 Many of us are genetically destined to get stretch marks and cellulite. (Yeah, thanks, we know!) But thanks to expert help from two of the country's most famous rock star-level skin gurus and 200,000 unbiased beauty product reviews from TotalBeauty.com readers, you can effectively prevent and minimize the appearance of these bummer issues. Get the real scoop here. |
Earth-Friendly Beauty
I'm totally into going green (I'm even wearing a green sweater as I type this!). I love green cleaning products, candles, personal products, hybrid cars (I'm dying for a Prius), the works! One area where I haven't quite been able to make the switch is my beauty products (sue me!). So, I'll to add some of these green goods into my beauty arsenal. After all, saving the Earth (and your health) is a beautiful thing!
| The hottest skin care, makeup and hair care on every green chick's list |
 What's the hot trend in beauty? Going green. But don't break out the emerald eyeshadow just yet, we mean green as in environmentally friendly. New to the green scene? Use TotalBeauty.com readers' unbiased ratings to help you know what products to try first. |
| TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 7* |
 Why it's great: Readers say it's "very moisturizing and soothing" and they can feel their "eyes tightening"... |
| TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 7.8* |
 Why it's great: The certified organic white grape and pomegranate juice in this moisturizer "help balance out... oily skin"... |
| TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8* |
 Why it's great: "It seriously softens and... feels great after flying." They also say even oily skin can use it at night... |
Halle Berry Covers Harper's Baazar
Halle Berry graces the cover of the May issue Harper's Bazaar (wow, they finally put a woman of color, any color, on the cover).
She's rocking a cute, retro, honey-brown wig in the photos for the interview, but I must point out that I do not appreciate this ridiculous wig they put on Halle for the cover. I mean, who thought this was a good look?
More pics below.
